Peter MacKay Perrin, 82, a lifelong resident of Weston and a retired Captain of the Weston Fire Department, died on December 10, 2022 after a courageous battle with cancer.
Peter was born on November 12, 1940, in Newton the son of the late William Gardner Perrin, Esquire and Euphemia Sinclair (Ganson) Perrin.
He was the devoted husband to Linda Jane (Howe) Perrin of Weston for 55 years and a loving father of Adam Perrin and his wife Denise of Virginia and Caleb Perrin and his wife Ilaria of Italy. Brother of William G. Perrin, Jr. of Florida and Thalia Stone of Vermont. Also survived by six grandchildren Luke and his wife Katie, Drake, Lily, Aodhan, Violet and Freyja and three great-grandchildren Zoe, Tess and June. As well as his extended family of cousins, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews.
Peter attended Salisbury School in Salisbury, CT and later attended Boston University before leaving school and dedicating himself to the service of others. His long and distinguished career with the Town of Weston Fire Department started in 1962. Peter served as a Volunteer Firefighter, Firefighter, EMT, Lieutenant, and ultimately as Captain before retiring in 2005 after 43 years of service.
Peter was a Mason for 58 years and a brother with the Waltham Triad Lodge A.F. & A.M.
For 12 years, Peter taught a generation of children at the Unitarian Universalist Church’s Sunday School.
Prince Edward Island, Canada was an annual pilgrimage for Peter and his family, where he rejuvenated himself surrounded by the beauty of the red-rocked seascapes and the power of fellowship across borders and generations.
Peter was a natural leader with a warm and generous personality which outsized his 6’4” frame. His wide and welcoming smile was inclusive and available to everyone within arm’s reach. He was a coach, a great enthusiast of sport and the dedication required to compete, and a fan of all sports pursued by his children and grandchildren. Peter was a teacher, openly sharing his knowledge, experience, and expertise in fire science, landscaping, construction, dry-set masonry, soil sciences, surveying, and pumpkin carving. Peter’s capacity to make careful observations and unfailing focus on helping others made him the most effective of problem solvers. Forever humble, private, and reserved, Peter, in his lifetime, would not acknowledge or accept what he truly was to many, a hero.
Per Peter’s wishes, a celebration of his life will be organized for a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Captain Peter M. Perrin’s name can be made to the Weston Firemen’s Relief Association, 394 Boston Post Road, Weston, MA 02493